When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 192

The moment Victoria found out April had been taken by her biological father, she called the police right away. But Nicholas had already covered his bases. The police had a record on file, so when they showed up at Victoria’s house, all they did was take a statement and collect some evidence.

Then Victoria burst into the hospital, furious. That was when Jessie finally learned Victoria was being sued and that April’s custody would probably go to her father.

“Mrs. Wallace, I get how upset you are, but the police are handling this. The hospital really…” Jessie tried to calm her, but Victoria shoved her hard and Jessie slammed into the wall.

“April was admitted here. Why didn’t you tell me the second it happened? Now she’s gone. What about my son’s surgery? Answer me!” Victoria was completely unraveling, and her husband, Anthony, was struggling to hold her back. Nicholas’s people had already shown up at their house with warnings, the police had gotten involved, and now there was no hope left for her son.

With a wild burst of energy, Victoria tore herself out of Anthony’s grip and lunged at Jessie, who was closest. Jessie barely had time to process what was happening before she saw the glint of a knife in Victoria’s hand, coming straight for her chest.

Screams echoed down the hall. “Look out!” “Dr. Morton!” The young nurses nearby stared in shock, frozen with fear.

Jessie squeezed her eyes shut, turning her body to protect herself, bracing for pain… but nothing came. She gasped and opened her eyes.

A tall, striking man stood between her and Victoria. His arm was up, fingers locked tight around Victoria’s wrist. The attack had happened so fast that he’d gotten a shallow cut on his hand, but the bleeding was light.

Suddenly, the hallway was chaos. People rushed in to help. Anthony pulled Victoria away, pinning her down, while a nurse frantically called the police.

“Are you okay?” The man turned around, his voice warm and deep, and Jessie felt a jolt of recognition. That voice, those eyes… it was just like someone she used to know.

She’d already thought of him the moment she saw his back. Now, looking at his face, she was stunned. Her throat felt dry, like a desert after a long drought. She couldn’t get a word out.

He watched her, worry creasing his brows. When she didn’t answer, he tilted his head, quietly checking her over. He wore a black dress shirt and slacks, tall and lean, his sleeves rolled up to reveal strong, pale arms and sharply defined hands. His eyes were deep and clear, framed by long lashes that cast shadows on his cheekbones. He looked like he’d just stepped out of a magazine.

“Casey…” Jessie whispered his name, dazed.

He hesitated. “Sorry?”

“I knew you were still alive.” A rush of relief and disbelief flooded Jessie, and before she could stop herself, she threw her arms around his waist, clinging tight.

The vice president jumped in quickly. “Jessie, you really are mistaken. This is Teddy, the eldest son of the Phillips family.”

The Phillips family was one of the country’s most powerful military families. Teddy was in Westhaven on a last-minute government assignment, helping out with official matters. Central Hospital had been chosen as a pandemic response center, so Teddy was there to inspect the hospital. He didn’t want any big fuss, so his visit was unannounced. The hospital president was away, and the vice president had only just heard.

He never imagined Teddy would walk into something like this. And Dr. Morton… well…

The vice president was at a loss for words. He just started apologizing. “Mr. Phillips, I am so sorry. Dr. Morton was just startled. She didn’t mean any disrespect…”

“It’s fine.” Teddy glanced at Jessie, who was still staring at him in shock. His tone was calm. “I understand. Doctors go through a lot, especially when they’re dealing with patients’ families. Things can get pretty intense.”

Jessie didn’t hear a thing. She just kept staring at his face, her heart thumping in disbelief. How could two people look exactly alike? But he wasn’t Casey. He was the son of the Phillips family. How could that be?

Soon, Teddy needed to leave. The vice president noticed the cut on his hand and quickly told Jessie, “Dr. Morton, Mr. Phillips was injured saving you. Please help him with his wound.”